A dispute between the woman and the powers of darkness

loved, worthy to be feared, and worthy to be held in everlasting remembrance? Who has shown such love as to die for us?

Satan. You are exalting the merits of Christ, because he might protect you this night; but that is out of his power; for you shall never meet your friends, to say, blessed be God for his goodness, and cursed be Satan for his badness. If I am a devil, then now I will be a devil; and that you shall find before the morning. I did not tear you in pieces last night: I thought your dream would have frightened you into compliance; but as it has not, you shall groan for something this night. And remember, in Exeter the city in Devon where Joanna Southcott's prophetic career began, I had power to come to you; but you have no one in the inner room now. So you are in my power, unless you do not answer me again before the morning. Then I will not trouble you this night. But if you answer one word, or sign your name, I will tear you to pieces; for the Lord shall not prevent me.

Joanna. Then now I shall know in whom I trust, and who is the strong man armed a reference to a parable in the Gospel of Luke regarding a powerful entity guarding a house until someone stronger arrives. The Lord has promised to protect me, if I rely on him; but if I give in, because of Satan's threats; then I give up my faith in Christ, and fear the power of the devil. Now I shall know in whom I have trusted. If the Lord is not my support, you, O Satan, will be as good as your word: If your former words are true, that my writings are not of God, I am well assured I shall never see another day. If I am deceived in whom I have believed, it is over with me; and I am of all women the most miserable: and miserable let me be, sooner than mock God and deceive man. I will not fear to answer, if I die for it: for I know the power of God is greater than the power of Satan: and he has promised to protect me and keep me from all dangers; and now, in the time I am afraid, I will trust in him, who is the God of my